Bengaluru: Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council K.S. Eshwarappa has once again courted controversy with a statement on Thursday. 
During the afternoon session of the Council, while debating the law and order situation in the State, Eshwarappa said that police booked cases against BJP activists who raised ‘Bharath Mata Ki Jai’ slogans in Hassan recently and bail was granted to those who raised pro-Pakistan slogans in Shivamogga.
He said he was sent to jail during the Emergency for raising slogans hailing mother India. Another BJP leader Narayansa Bhandge (BJP) also claimed that he too was put behind bars during the Emergency for raising ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ slogan.
Taking objection, Congress leader V.S. Ugrappa accused Eshwarappa of misleading the House and demanded evidence to prove it.
S.R. Patil and R.V. Venkatesh from the Congress accused the BJP of spoiling peace and tranquility in society. Deputy Chairman Marithibbe Gowda ruled that the remark be expunged, terming it uncalled for, which was opposed by the BJP.
Eshwarappa made another unsavoury remark that rapists be castrated and insisted that the Home department form a committee to make strong recommendations against those who commit atrocities against women and children. “Who will touch a girl who has been raped? Who will marry her?” he asked.
“Such cases are being reported on a daily basis and until the department took a strong stand, those with deviant mindsets would continue to commit the crimes”, he said.
“It is because of the skewed laws that culprits are going scott-free”, he said.
However, the Legislative Council witnessed uproar during a debate on law and order situation. Opposition members entered the well of the House and staged a dharn and the house was adjourned by the chairman for 15 minutes.
